Home News > Pokémon TCG Pocket: Naganadel & Nihilego Deck Guide

Pokémon TCG Pocket: Naganadel & Nihilego Deck Guide

by Alexis Nov 18,2025

The metagame in Pokémon TCG Pocket is constantly shifting, and one of the most fascinating and disruptive combinations gaining traction is the Naganadel and Nihilego pairing. Celebrated for their unpredictable tempo shifts and synergy with Ultra Beasts, these cards form a deck that excels in energy efficiency, Prize card control, and raw momentum.

Whether you're seeking a break from traditional aggressive decks or want to surprise opponents with a midrange strategy that ignites from nowhere, this guide details how to construct and pilot the Naganadel/Nihilego deck for competitive success in Pokémon TCG Pocket.

Why Naganadel and Nihilego?

Both Naganadel and Nihilego belong to the Ultra Beast archetype, renowned for their explosive mid-game potential and compatibility with unique support cards. Naganadel serves as a reliable attacker with energy acceleration, while Nihilego acts as a disruptive force capable of halting your opponent's momentum and skewing the Prize exchange to your advantage.

Their power isn't rooted in sheer force but in dictating the match's pace. Players who appreciate strategic, decision-intensive gameplay and inventive turn sequences will find this deck highly satisfying.

Core Cards of the Deck

Naganadel (Ultra Beast)

Main Attacker & AcceleratorWith its attack power scaling based on energy or cards in hand (version dependent), Naganadel applies steady pressure while establishing board dominance. It also works with multiple energy types and pairs effectively with tools that recover or recycle energy.

blog-image-PTP_NAN_ENG02

This decklist can be customized to emphasize control, aggression, or a balanced midrange approach.

How to Play the Deck

Early Game

Prioritize setting up Naganadel quickly. Utilize drawing power to assemble your Ultra Beast engine while keeping Nihilego safely on the Bench or in your hand. The goal here is development, not rushing to take Prizes.

Midgame Spike

Once your opponent reaches three Prize cards remaining, deploy Nihilego for maximum disruption. Activate Prize-related abilities, secure surprise knockouts, and prepare multiple attackers to apply pressure every turn. This is your pivotal moment to seize momentum.

Late Game Clean-up

If you've timed Nihilego's entrance correctly, you'll have either stalled your opponent's Prize progression or reversed it. Close out the game with decisive attacks from Naganadel or a secondary attacker, depending on the board state.

Matchups & Counters

Strong Against:Decks reliant on consistent Prize exchanges or aggressive starts, such as single-type aggressive decks (e.g., Miraidon or Iron Hands variants).Weak Against:Heavy control or healing decks that negate your tempo bursts. Additionally, decks that don't follow standard Prize card pacing can diminish Nihilego's impact.

For deeper metagame analysis, explore our Top Meta Decks for Shining Revelry to understand this deck's position in the competitive landscape.

Redeem Codes for a Boost

Before assembling your deck, be sure to claim free rewards. Use the latest Pokémon TCG Pocket redeem codes to obtain resources, card packs, and potential cards to accelerate your deck-building process.

Ultra Beasts, Ultra Control

The Naganadel and Nihilego deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket revolves around control, precise timing, and outmaneuvering opponents through intelligent Prize manipulation. While it may not appear aggressive initially, its pressure becomes relentless once activated. If you enjoy a deck that rewards deep game knowledge and capitalizes on opponent errors, this strategy is a worthwhile investment to master.

If you're new to the game, consult our comprehensive Pokémon TCG Pocket Beginner’s Guide to establish a strong foundation. For an optimal gaming experience, play Pokémon TCG on BlueStacks!

Latest Apps